ACTIVITIES IN THE COLUMBIA AREA 5/6-5/26

Wednesday May 6 through Tuesday May 26, 2015

Through May 10 – “From Here to Timbuktu” at the EdVenture Children’s Museum. For more information call (803) 779-3100 or visit http://www.edventure.org/.

Through May 17 – “Charles Courtney Curran: Seeking the Ideal” at the Columbia Museum of Art. This impressionistic painter blossomed in 1880 and on into the 20th Century. For more information call (803) 779-2810 or visit www.columbiamuseum.org.

Through July 26 – “Courage: The Vision to End Segregation and the Guts to Fight for It” at the South Carolina State Museum. This is the “people story” on the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Brown vs. the Board of Education. For more information call (803) 898-4921 or visit http://scmuseum.org/explore/exhibits/changing-exhibits/.

Through August 23 – “Finding Freedoms Home: Archaeology at Mitchelville” at the South Carolina State Museum. Come learn about the rich history of the freedman’s town of Mitchelville. For more information call (803) 898-4921 or visit http://scmuseum.org/explore/exhibits/changing-exhibits/.

Through September 7 – “Bugs! Giant Robotic Creatures” at the South Carolina State Museum. Come see bugs magnified 40 to 120 times bigger than they are and with some of them in robotic form. Exhibit includes a life exhibit as well. For more information call (803) 898-4921 or visit http://scmuseum.org.

Through September 10 – Moonlight Cemetery and Secrets from the Grave Tours at the Elmwood Cemetery and Gardens on the 2nd Thursdays of each month. Come learn about one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in the area. For more information call (803) 252-1770 ext. 23 or visit http://www.historiccolumbia.org/events/moonlight-cemetery-tours.

Through February 7, 2016 – “Carolina Makers” at the South Carolina State Museum. Come see what people in South Carolina are making, such as instruments, furniture, metal, even clothing. For more information call (803) 898-4921 or visit http://scmuseum.org/explore/exhibits/carolina-makers/.

Through March 6, 2016 – “Path’s of Destruction: Sherman’s Final Campaign” at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum. For more information call (803) 737-8094 or visit http://www.crr.sc.gov/.

First Thursdays – First Thursdays on Main Street at the 1200-1700 block of Main Street in downtown Columbia. The event lasts from 6 pm to 10 pm and is a collaboration of a number of vendors in the area. For more information call (803) 988-1065 or visit http://firstthursdaysonmain.com/.

Third Thursdays – Vista Nights offered by the Congaree Visit Guild in the Vista area of downtown Columbia. This event is a collaboration of vendors offering extended hours and events such as wine and beer tastings, art classes, and more. For more information call (803) 269-5946 or visit http://www.vistacolumbia.com/vistanights.aspx.

May 7 – Rhythm and Blooms at the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens. Includes entertainment and local artists. For more information visit www.riverbanks.org.

May 8 – 9 – Festival of Gardens, a tour of 12 private gardens in the Wildewood neighborhood on the northeast side of Columbia. Types of gardens will include modern, traditional, Asian, and English. For more information visit http://columbiagreen.org/news/indexgardentour2015.html.

May 8 – 29 – “Spamalot” at the Town Theatre. Voted as “Best Musical” and based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. For more information call (803) 799-2510 or visit http://towntheatre.com/.

May 8 – Taste of Black Columbia: An Evening with Kenny Lattimore at the South Carolina State Museum. Event includes seminars for adults and youth, the Expo Biz Pitch (have a product you want to market?), and a Beauty and Wellness Spa. For more information call (803) 254-6404 or visit http://blackexposouth.com/columbia-black-expo/.

May 9 – Columbia Black Expo at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. This family event will include workshops, vendors, entertainment and more. For more information call (803) 254-6404 or visit http://blackexposouth.com/.

May 9 – Lexington Wine Walk at the 100 block of East Main Street in Lexington. Exhibitors, merchants, and restaurants will serve wine and hors d’oeuvres. For more information visit http://www.lexingtonwinewalk.com/.

May 10 – Sponge and Stencil at the Columbia Museum of art. Create a sponge-painted masterpiece on paper as inspired by Bunzlaur pottery. For more information call (803) 799-2810 or visit www.columbiamuseum.org.

May 10 – Mothers Day Brunch in the Botanical Gardens of the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens. Event begins with a tour of the gardens and endless mimosas and brunch by Chef Jeremy and his crew. For more information call (803) 602-0900 or visit http://www.riverbanks.org/.

May 10 – “Fantasia & Keith Sweat” at the Township Auditorium. For more information call (803) 576-2350 or visit http://www.thetownship.org/.

May 11 – October 2 – Blooming Butterflies at the EdVenture Children’s Museum. Come learn about the life of butterflies and experience them in this wonderful butterfly house. For more information call (803) 799-3100 or visit http://www.edventure.org/.

May 11 – South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony at the Columbia Convention and Visitors Center. Event will honor men and women whose remarkable talent will earn them a place in athletic history. For more information call (803) 799-0905 or visit http://scahof.tripod.com/scathletichalloffame/id3.html.

May 15 – 17 – The South Carolina Book Festival at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Event will include workshops, exhibitors, book signings and more. For more information call (803) 771-2477 or visit http://scbookfestival.org/schedule/2015schedule/.

May 16 – Palmetto Patriots Ball at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Event is sponsored by the Midlands Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America, mothers of those who have served in the military. For more information call (803) 206-6088 or visit http://palmettopatriotsball.org/.

May 16 – A Night Under the Stars at the City Art Gallery and sponsored by the South Carolina Theater Association. Event includes dinner, dancing, and entertainment. For more information visit http://southcarolinatheatre.com/gala/.

May 17 – Craft and Kvell at the Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center. Bring your unfinished craft projects for a day of fun, fellowship, and inspiration. For more information call (803) 787-2023 or visit http://www.jcccolumbia.org/.

May 21 – EdVenture After Dark Presents: “Vibes” on the Congaree Terrace of the EdVenture Children’s Museum. Featuring artists are Brent Lundy and George Fetner. For more information call (803) 779-3100 or visit http://www.edventure.org/.

May 21 – Rooftop Rhythms presents “The Business” at the Richland Mall. Come enjoy dancing and food and refreshments by local restaurants. For more information call (803) 250-5292 or visit https://www.facebook.com/RooftopRhythms.

May 22 – 23 – The USC Dance Conservatory:” Alice in Wonderland” at Drayton Hall Theatre. Come see some of the areas best dancers age 3 to 18. For more information call (803) 777-5636 or visit http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/dance/.

May 23 – September 20 – “The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head” at the EdVenture Children’s Museum. Come enjoy an adventure in the world of Mr. Potato Head. For more information call (803) 779-3100 or visit http://www.edventure.org/.